Hey Soul Sister {Cleo}

[KAILANI HADRICK]

Maybe Daddy wasn't so bad. After all, he had told her that there WAS a beach in New York. They were on the coast--but the image of solid buildings and squares and cement tainted the idea of a beach. She'd seen 'city beaches' online. A small stretch of sand that was just rock and then a black space of water licking at the uncomfortable rocks. Those weren't beaches. They weren't suitable. But no, Coney Island had a beach. One with sand. And ocean. He had hardly finished his words before Kailani grabbed her credit card and ran out of the house nothing more than a bikini and some board shorts.

Stopping at a single store on the island to grab a cheap surfboard, she hauled it to the beach, following the signs. The drive in the cab had been fast--her mind easing her time as she thought of bright blue ocean. Sunshine, sand. Long waves crashing on the shore, being forced to roll over on themselves by the wind. The salty taste of ocean water on her lips, and that wonderful crunch that the saltwater caused in her hair when it began to dry out.

Had she been fresh from her home on the island, she would have been disappointed when the ocean finally met her eyes.

There was no crystal blue clarity, and there were people strewn out all over the beach. However, it had been so long that Kailani was starting to realize a bucket of sand in a bathtub would suffice. But this--this beach, nowhere near as beautiful as her home--was beautiful in its own way. Entranced, she yanked her flipflops off and shoved her feet into the sand for the first time in a long time. Wiggling her toes in the warm sand. Feeling the tiny grains between her toes, over her feet. That familiar drag as she pulled her feet through the sand. She had learned a long time ago the proper way to walk through sand. Even weight on the feet, walk on the outsides of your feet. You won't sink and you won't fight.

But now, all she wanted to do was roll into the sand. Carrying her board under her arm she moved in closer, feeling the warmth of the sand die down and cool as it sat packed tighter together as she moved in closer to the water. Still where the sand was somewhat loose, she shoved her board into it, listening to the familiar crunch of sand. The roar of the ocean, the sound of lapping water. Part of her wanted to run right into it, arms spread wide--ready to hug the ocean for all she was. The ocean was the only mother she ever needed, the sister she always had. The home that had been here waiting for her, all along. The ocean was a living, breathing thing, and Kailani was her child. However, there was a slight edge of fear.

It had been at least two years since she had last seen the ocean. Would it remember her fondly? She wrapped her arms around the surfboard, and leaned on it. Could she still balance on her board? But more importantly, what was the ocean like beneath the waves. Was it rocky? Would the waves spit her out, send her crashing down to her death? She held onto the surfboard like it was a person, her freckled arms arm from the sunshine. She hadn't lost her tan, though she wasn't as dark as she used to be. She could feel her skin drinking in the sunshine, begging for the salt of the ocean.

"Isn't it beautiful?"

[/b] Kailani asked, to no one in particular. More than likely talking to her surfboard. She was afraid to break the calm for a moment. With eyes closed she let the beach drown her in its own special way. The smell of ocean water and sand. The sound of seagulls screaming overhead, and the crash of the ocean. Peeking her eyes open, she glanced at the encompassing body of water through flares of red hair that whipped around her head from the seabreeze.[/blockquote]
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Kai's Outfit! ;Dc

[CLEO EVERETT]

Ever since the awakening of a bright and particularly annoying goldfish, Cleo Everett found it much easier to stay underwater for longer periods of time. It was as if she no longer needed to worry about breathing. That’s not the case, though. She still needed to come up for air (she was only human after all), but not as frequently as most people. So even though her goldfish was obnoxious and oftentimes rude, it was thanks to her that Cleo could swim for longer periods of time, and for that, she loved the little fish.

And another rather marvelous thing was that cold water didn’t bother her as much as it used to. Sure, Cleo went swimming in freezing temperatures anyway, no matter what her mother said. She handled it fine, but yeah, she still found herself shivering afterwards (which was actually quite alright. It meant snuggles from Jacob!). Now… well, now icy waters didn’t affect her much at all. People looked at her crazy when she went out in the ocean, but she’s positive they’re just jealous.

Today was one of those days. It was colder out than usual and Cleo expected to see most beach goers in wetsuits, if they were going out and surfing or whatever really means that much to them, anyway. She loved every bit of the weather. It may be cold, but it was a sunny and cloudless day. It was perfect weather for most anything: the beach, the amusement park, the boardwalk. Yes. Today was her day. Cleo Everett just knew.

When she finally got to the beach, it was crowded. Cleo wished all the people would leave sooner rather than later. For it to start raining or something. Whatever needed to happen to clear them all out. Oh well. Whatever. She didn’t need a lot of space. Just a little spot to leave her things. It was obvious she planned on spending most of her time out in the ocean. Her hair was tied up and she’d pushed her sunglasses up onto the top of her head. She looked beach ready.

Without even realizing it, she’d stopped beside one of the beach goers, a tall red head with lots of freckles and a surfboard. Before Cleo could comment on anything about the girl (ohmygod, I love your hair, ohmygod you surf, ohmygod you are just so precious), she had already said something. Isn’t it beautiful? And Cleo Everett knew, she knew right then and there, that this girl was destined to be her best friend. They’ve just got to be. It had to happen.

Looking back out to the ocean – her beautiful wonderful perfect ocean – Cleo smiled affectionately and nodded. “Truer words have never been spoken.

[/b]” Though, of course, Cleo had been to much prettier beaches, with glittering crystal water and bright golden sand. This, compared to her California beaches, wasn't much. But it’ll do. It’s got a special place in her heart.

outfit
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